State: Tasmania
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 21/09/1900
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
WELCOME TO PRIVATE F. BEST.
WESTBURY, Monday.
On Friday evening last the people of Westbury extended to Private Frank BEST, of the second Tasmanian contingent, a social, which was held in the Library Hall, to welcome him on his return from South Africa. The attendance was exceedingly large, notwithstanding the admission was for adults only. The room was most artistically decorated for the occasion with evergreens, flowers, etc. The stage, which was beautifully draped with lace curtains, red, white, and blue, represented a drawing-room. The body of the hall was gaily hung with flags and banners. Amongst them were the following: – Union Jack, merchant's ensign, white ensign, all nations, St. Andrew's, Royal Standard, Prince of Wales's shamrock, Stars and Stripes, and numerous small ones.
Mr C.W. Allen occupied the chair, and on the platform were seated the guest of the evening (Private F. BEST) and Major G. Priestley, in full uniform.
The chairman, in opening the proceedings, said he had been asked by the committee to preside, and did so with much pleasure. He was pleased to welcome back their friend, Private F. BEST, who had returned to them safe and sound, although he had been under fire a number of times. Many people thought when the war commenced in South Africa it would mean little more than a pleasure trip for the Australian contingent, but the reverse had been proved, and it had turned out hard graft. He then introduced Private BEST.
Private BEST, who was received with cheers, briefly thanked those present for the splendid welcome they had extended to him.
Major Priestley, who on rising to address the gathering was also greeted with cheers, said he was pleased to take part in the welcome given that evening to Private F. BEST. All were thankful he had returned safely. He now knew what actual war meant; and he himself had been in many engagements, but the style of fighting in his soldier days was very different as compared with the modern method. He would like to relate to them some of his experiences in the Crimean war, but time would not permit. He had made an effort fifteen years ago to get 1,000 colonials to volunteer for active service in the Soudan campaign, but the matter was laughed at. However, in the short space of fifteen years we find a change has taken place. Numbers of our young men volunteered for service in the South African war, Private BEST amongst the number, and he felt satisfied that he upheld the credit of Tasmania with honour to himself. They were all proud of him, and pleased to honour him on his return home. The major then read extracts from Indian and other papers, speaking in the highest terms of the bravery of the Australian troops.
Rev. B.W. Heath said he, too, was much pleased to take part in the welcome to Private BEST. He was pleased to see, for his mother's sake as well as his own, that he had returned to them sound in wind and limb, and eulogised him for having taken part in the war of the Empire. They were all glad he went, as he must have gained much experience, and pleased that he had returned, and thankful to God that He had brought him through the dangers he had been exposed to from the enemy and disease.
Rev. Father Kelsh said he did not come prepared to speak, but he would add a few words of welcome to what had already been said. Private BEST was amongst the first he knew on coming to Westbury. He knew him as a trusted and faithful companion of the late Ven. Archdeacon Hogan, and it gave him very great pleasure to welcome him home from South Africa. As Private BEST had taken to the military line, he felt sure if called upon to go into active service again, and if spared, he would go through the ordeal with credit to himself and his native land. He had much pleasure in extending a hearty welcome to Private F. BEST.
Lieutenant Drew welcomed Private BEST as a member of the Meander Rifle Company and as a citizen. He was proud that Westbury had had one representative at the front in South Africa. Certainly, he was not the only native of the district engaged at the front, as Lance-Corporal D. SQUIRES was there also; but he went as a member of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, and they had reason to be proud of the name he had made for himself by his brave acts. Private BEST had been in five engagements during the time he was in South Africa, besides a number of skirmishes, and they were all thankful he had escaped without a wound.
Mr Thos. Squires also addressed those present, and during the course of a good speech said he had often felt very much annoyed at the ridicule that was heaped upon the volunteer movement in its primary stage in Tasmania. He would like to know what those persons would have said in defence of their opinions when they knew Tasmanians at the front in the present war had been eulogised for conspicuous acts of bravery.
Rev. A.E. Hutchinson said he had been asked to say a few words, and he had much pleasure in embracing the opportunity of joining so many others in welcoming Private BEST back to Westbury. They should be thankful to Almighty God that he had returned safe and sound.
The chairman said: – "Mr. F. BEST, I have been deputed by the committee to present you with a gold medal as a token of the esteem in which you are held, and I can assure you it affords me the greatest pleasure to make the presentation. I hope you will be spared for many years to wear it, and that, wherever your lot in life may be cast in later years, it will remind you of your home-coming and the welcome you received". Mr. Allen then presented the medal, which bears the following inscription: – "Memento presented by the residents of Westbury to Private F. Best, second Tasmanian contingent, South African war. 21/9/1900".
During the evening harmony was introduced, consisting of musical selections, songs, recitations, etc., the following taking part: – Mrs. Heath, Miss Marshall, Messrs Drew, Fort, Best, Thos. Squires, and Easton. Refreshments provided by the ladies were handed round.
Cheers were then given for Private BEST, and a vote of thanks to the chair, and the singing of the National Anthem closed the proceedings.
Private BEST during the evening exhibited a number of curios he brought from South Africa, amongst the many being the following: – A copy of the "Bloemfontein and Pretoria Friend" newspaper, published by the British as soon as could be arranged after occupying the town; a copy of the "Government Gazette" containing Lord Roberts's proclamations; two clips of poison bullets used by the Boers, which he picked up on the veldt near Eerstefabriken; one clip of soft-nosed bullets, also used by the Boers, a piece of lyddite shell weighing 2¼ lb., fired near Pretoria by the naval gun; a small piece of shrapnel from Zand River, about half a mile from where Major Cameron was wounded in the arm; a number of shrapnel bullets; a Kaffir snuff box and some bead work; a Dopper pipe; a number of empty Mausers made into pencil cases; a swagger stick mounted with Lee-Metford cartridges, which he carried through the campaign; a rose leaf gathered by himself from Kruger's garden; a Dutch Psalm Book set to music; and a number of Dutch coins.
WELCOME TO PRIVATE F. BEST.
On Friday night residents of Westbury extended an enthusiastic welcome to Private Frank BEST, who has been invalided home from South Africa. The Westbury band paraded the principal streets, playing patriotic selections. The gathering at the in the library hall was large and representative, and Mr C.W. Allen presided.
The Chairman, in extending a welcome to the returned soldier, said many people thought when the war commenced in South Africa that It would mean little more than a pleasure trip for the Australian contingents, but the reverse had been proved; it had turned out hard graft.
Private BEST, who was received with cheers, briefly thanked those present for the splendid welcome they had given him.
Major Priestley, in the course of an address, said he had been in many engagements, but the style of fighting in his soldier days was different as compared with the modern methods. He had made an effort fifteen years ago to get 1,000 colonials to volunteer for active service in the Soudan campaign, but the matter was laughed at. In the short space of fifteen years, however, a change had taken place, and numbers of young men had volunteered for service in the South African war.
Rev. B.W. Heath and Father Kelsh briefly extended a hearty welcome home to Private BEST.
Lieutenant H.G. Drew said that Westbury had another representative at the front, Lance-Corporal SQUIRES, but the latter was a member of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, and who had made a name for himself by his brave acts.
After brief addresses by Mr Thos. Squires and Rev. A.E. Hutchinson, the chairman, on behalf of residents, presented Private BEST with a gold medal bearing the following inscription: “Memento presented by the residents of Westbury to Private F. Best, second contingent. South African war, 21/9/1900”. Private BEST was also the recipient from Mr J.B. Stewart, an old Ashanti campaigner, of a handsome blackwood walking stick.
A programme of songs and instrumental selections was gone through, and at the close refreshments were handed round, and the proceedings closed with cheers for Private BEST, and the singing of the National Anthem.
